Blue Jackets vs Islanders Prediction & Odds (Nov 17)

Islanders vs Blue Jackets Prediction: A Banged-Up Home Team

The New York Islanders have given up 4 goals per game over their last five, and three of their centers are out. They still host a Columbus Blue Jackets team that is 0-6 against the spread as a favorite this season. That tension is the whole story of this Blue Jackets vs Islanders game, and the number has not even been posted yet.

The Matchup: Blue Jackets vs Islanders

As of publication, the Islanders are 8-6-4 and sit 12 points back of the division lead with 64 games left. Columbus is 7-10-0, 18 back with 65 games left. This is a division game. The season series starts Tuesday, and the last meeting, 240 days ago, went to New York. Both teams get 2 days of rest. The Islanders flew 2,450 miles from Anaheim and crossed three time zones east. Columbus traveled 492 miles with no time-zone change.

Players to Watch

Bo Horvat leads New York with 18 points over 18 games, one point per game. Kent Johnson leads Columbus with 17 points over 17 games, also one per game. Over his last five games Horvat is at 0.8 points and 3.4 shots per game. Johnson is at 1 point and 2.6 shots per game over his last five. In goal, Ilya Sorokin started 3 of New York's last 5 and Jet Greaves started 3 of Columbus's last 5. Neither is a confirmed starter here.

Who is favored to win Blue Jackets vs Islanders?

Sportsbooks have not posted odds yet. When they do, you will see a moneyline (a bet on who wins outright) and a puck line (a spread, usually 1.5 goals). Our rating, a model built on past results, gives New York 58% and Columbus 42%. That is context, not a bet.

Against the spread (whether a team beats the betting margin), Columbus is 6-11 over 17 graded games and New York is 10-8 over 18. The Islanders are 9-5 as an underdog but 1-3 as a favorite. Per-game averages: New York wins 55.51% of faceoffs and draws 3.06 power plays (man-advantage chances), scoring 0.5 power-play goals per game. Columbus allows 0.71 power-play goals per game.

Where the Value Is

Every price includes the vig, the book's built-in cut. Strip it out and you get the no-vig number, the market's implied chance with that cut removed. Expected value is what a bet would average per $100 risked over many tries. Without posted odds, we cannot put a dollar figure on it. What we can say: if the Islanders open at a modest price, the faceoff and power-play edges support them. If they open steep, we pass. Check every book, because the best number is where value lives.

Who is out for the Islanders?

Four Islanders are listed: Jean-Gabriel Pageau (Out), Mathew Barzal (Injured Reserve), Calum Ritchie (Injured Reserve) and Alexander Romanov (Injured Reserve). That is three centers and a defenseman. For Columbus, Dmitri Voronkov is Day-To-Day, which means uncertain.

The Pick

We lean to the Islanders on the moneyline. No price exists yet, so no book can be named. Shop every sportsbook when lines post and take the best number. If the price climbs too high, this lean goes away. This is the Desk's analysis, not an official play.

The Prediction

Islanders vs Blue Jackets tilts on special teams. New York draws penalties and wins draws, and Columbus has leaked on the penalty kill. The injuries and the recent goals against keep it close. We project Islanders 3, Blue Jackets 2. That is the read on this matchup before a number exists; the Desk posts a documented free play daily, and it sits right below.